Cano, G./Guillén S. Deutsche Luftwaffe

When World War II began, Germanys Luftwaffe was the most powerful air force on the battlefield, achieving victory after victory in combination with the German Army. However, as other great powers rose to combat Hitler, the supremacy of the German air force soon began to decline. The German Industry could hardly match the vast production of Allied aircraft. Nevertheless, while flying till they die, Luftwaffe pilots continued to write a record of heroism and innovation until the end of the war. This book is the result of a comprehensive study of the uniforms and flight equipment used by the Luftwaffe personnel from 1935 to 1945. From their service and flight uniforms to the flight equipment, gathered from impressive collections of original artifacts. The experiences of the German airmen are shared as well throughout the pages of this book. Although they unfortunately served a dark cause, their achievements cannot be denied. Each artifact is photographed in detail and presented using high quality, full color photos accompanied by clear explanatory text. More than 150 high quality photographs included, some of them published for the very first time. The book has been divided into four parts: The first contains a brief historical introduction and the basic organization of the Luftwaffe. The second part is dedicated to the service and walk-out uniforms, while the flight uniforms, equipment and weapons are explained in the third part. The book ends with an essay of the men behind the machines that includes the story of a German airman as told through his awards and documents. Armchair historians of WWII, serious collectors, libraries and archives, anyone with an interest in military aviation will be enthralled by this fascinating look inside one of the most legendary air forces ever to take to the skies.

At the beginning of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe of the German Reich was the strongest air force in Europe, achieving victory after victory together with the other parts of the Wehrmacht. However, as more and more major powers opposed the Hitler regime, the superiority of the German Luftwaffe gradually began to wane. The German war economy could no longer keep pace with the enormous production figures of aircraft on the Allied side.
This book is the result of an extensive study of the uniforms and flying equipment used by Luftwaffe flying personnel between 1935 and 1945. From the grey-blue uniforms to the special flying clothing and flying equipment - all of which come from important collections with contemporary originals - the experiences of the German airmen are made comprehensible in this book. Although these men unfortunately served a thoroughly evil cause, their personal achievements cannot be denied.
Each of the collector's items is presented in brilliant colour photographs that reveal every detail, and explained in clear accompanying texts. These photographs of original pieces are complemented by more than 130 contemporary photos, many of which are published here for the first time. The book is divided into four sections: The first contains a brief history of the Luftwaffe, its structure and organisation. The second part is devoted to the clothing of the service and dress uniforms, while the third part deals with the airmen's clothing and equipment as well as personal armament. Finally, the book ends with an epilogue about the men in the aircraft, which also includes a short biography of a German airman, which is recounted using his memorabilia.
Amateur historians of the Second World War, serious collectors, libraries and archives - anyone with an interest in military aviation will be captivated by this fascinating insight into one of the most legendary air forces ever to take to the skies.

I. Introduction
History of the Luftwaffe
Organisation and structure

II Uniforms

1. headgear
Peaked caps
Peaked cap for officers
Peaked cap for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Summer caps
Summer cap for officers
Summer cap for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Pilot caps
Pilot's cap for officers, early production
Pilot cap for officers, wartime production
Pilot's cap for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Uniform pilot caps
Uniform pilot cap for officers
Uniform airman's cap for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Fur cap
Steel helmets
Steel helmet 35
Steel helmet "M40

2. skirts and blouses
Dinner suit
Jacket of the evening suit
Airman's blouse
Airman's blouse for officers
Airman's blouse for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men

Cloth skirts
Cloth skirt for officers
Cloth skirt for NCOs and enlisted men

tunics
tunic for officers
tunic for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Summer tunic for officers
Drill skirt

3. coats
Cloth coat
Leather coat for officers
Weather coat
Wheel coat

4. trousers
Breeches for officers
Breeches
Long trousers

5. waistbelt and belt buckles
Waistbelt
Waistbelt for officers
Shoulder straps for officers
Belt and belt buckles for non-commissioned officers/crew
Light metal belt buckle for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
Sheet steel belt buckle for NCOs and enlisted men

6. footwear
High boots
Shank boots

7. side arms
Flyer's sword
Dagger
Pilot's dagger
Officer's dagger

III Aviation clothing and equipment

8. headgear
Winter headgear
Aviator bonnet K/33
Airman's hood K/33 (variant)
LKp W 53 flying cap
LKp W 100 flying cap
Airman's headgear LKp W 101
LKp W 101 flying cap (variant)
Summer headgear
Flying cap FK 34
LKp S 100 flying cap
LKp S 101 flying cap
Net hoods
Flieger net bonnet LKp N 101 (1st sample)
LKp N 101 net bonnet (2nd sample)
Fabric covers for bonnets

9. protective / aviator goggles
Aviator goggles
Wind goggles model 295
Aviator goggles model 306
Aviator summer goggles model Dr 652
Aviator splinter goggles
Other safety goggles
Motorbike goggles model 302
Sun and dust protection goggles

10. breathing masks
High-altitude breathing masks
High-altitude breathing mask model 10-67
High-altitude breathing mask type 10-6701
Cold protection mask

11. aviator clothing
Privately procured leather flight jackets
Protective flying suits for winter (combinations)
Protective flying suit for winter KW 1/33 (early version)
Protective flying suit for winter KW 1/33 (last version)
Protective flying suits for summer (combinations)
Protective flying suit for summer K So/34 (early version)
Protective flying suit for summer K So/34 (later version)
Two-piece flight protection suits
Two-piece flying suit made from naked fur
Two-piece flying suit made of Velveton
Flying jacket made from naked fur
Two-piece flying suits with electric heating
Lightweight version of the Velveton flying suit,
electrically heated
Electrically heated leather flight suit for hunters
Electrically heated leather flight jacket for hunters

12. gloves
Leather flying gloves with cuff
Heated leather flying gloves

13. aviator fur boots
Flying fur boots
Fur boots Pst 3 (variant)
Fur boots Pst 4004
Heated aviator fur boots
Fur boots Pst 4004 E

14. life jackets
Kapok lifejackets
Kapok lifejacket 10-76 B-1
Air buoyancy aids
Buoyancy aid SWp 734
Buoyancy aid 10-30 B-2

15. parachutes
Seat parachutes
Parachute 30 I S 24
Back parachutes
Parachute RH 12B

16. on-board and crew equipment
Wristwatches
Tutima pilot's chronograph
B-watch for astronomical navigation
Wrist compass
Wrist compass AK 39 (1st sample)
Wrist compass AK 39 (1st sample, variant)
Wrist compass AK 39 (2nd sample)
Arm compass AK 39 (2nd sample, variant)
Triangular calculator
Triangular calculator DR 2
Triangular computer DR 3
Flare pistols
Walther flare pistol, model 1934
Signal cartridges
Pilot's cap knife

17th pistols
German pistols
Pistol 08
Pistol Mauser 1934
Pistol Mauser HSc
Foreign and loot pistols
Model 37 pistol - Fémáru Pisztoly 1937 M
Pistol 626 (b) - FN Browning M 1922

IV. Epilogue
The men in the machines

Bibliography